Steel Will eyes carnival colt status

It's unusual for James McDonald to travel to Wyong for a Sunday engagement, but he did so for Steel Will, and the jockey will now evaluate the colt's prospects as a carnival contender at Rosehill.

Steel Will was not offered at public auction but possesses an exceptional pedigree, being a product of I Am Invincible and Pittsburgh Flyer, the dam of two-time Group 1 champion September Run.

Following a dominant win by over six lengths at Wyong, the three-year-old colt is set to return to metropolitan racing for Saturday's Kia Ora Bloodlines to Headlines Handicap (1300m). According to Charlie Duckworth, assistant trainer to Chris Waller, this race represents his chance to prove his worth for more significant races.

"James said, 'I'm going to go and ride it on a Sunday' so that was a big tick," Duckworth commented. "I know it was only a provincial race, but he won by more than six. It's a fair old margin.

"Saturday gives him his chance to stamp himself and prove that he should be with all the better colts, and that's hopefully what we will see from him."

Steel Will is heavily favoured to perform well and, despite needing to confirm his ability, he is nominated for the prestigious Group 1 Golden Rose (1400m) occurring next month.

Raced by Sir Owen Glenn's Go Bloodstock, Steel Will previously secured third place behind Kindergarten Stakes placegetters The Next Episode and Under Focus at Warwick Farm in March, before finishing poorly in a Group 3 event.

Duckworth noted that the horse displayed more potential at home during his juvenile season than what was evident on race days.

"His form at two, it was okay, but it wasn't as good as what we thought the horse was," he said. "He had a couple of chinks in his armour, and he'd do a few things wrong. He's just come in more mature this time around."

Among the three Waller-trained contenders in the benchmark race is Steel Will, alongside Your Colour, who must improve on her sole start where she finished unplaced in midweek grade at Warwick Farm, and the consistent Letters Patent.

"Your Colour needs to lift a bit, but she's drawn well with a light weight," Duckworth added. "Letters Patent hasn't really done anything wrong. There's a few of those three-year-olds sitting on the cusp of pushing into Group races or staying in Saturday grade. I guess we'll find out a lot on Saturday."

With Steel Will expected to perform strongly, punters might consider the racing betting markets for this event.